Albania has all the ingredients of a classic European escape, with clear Ionian waters, historic towns, mountain scenery, and long, leisurely meals, but it still feels refreshingly different from its better-known neighbours. One trip can take you from Tirana’s colourful streets to centuries-old hilltop fortresses, quiet coastal coves, and walking trails in the Albanian Alps. Its compact size makes it possible to see several sides of the country in one holiday, while family-run guesthouses, small restaurants, and local guides give each stop plenty of personality.
Tirana does things its own way
The capital is a lively starting point, filled with bold architecture, pavement cafés, and reminders of Albania’s complex past. Skanderbeg Square sits at the centre of the city, close to the National Historical Museum and the 18th-century Et’hem Bey Mosque, while the former communist bunker Bunk’Art 2 offers a more sobering look at life under Enver Hoxha. Later, head to Blloku, once reserved for Albania’s political elite and now one of Tirana’s most popular areas for restaurants, rooftop drinks, and evenings that tend to run later than planned.
The coast deserves more than a quick stop
Along the Albanian Riviera, the road winds between steep hills and the blue-green Ionian Sea, linking seaside towns, pebble beaches, and hidden bays. Himarë makes an easy base, with waterfront tavernas and beaches such as Livadhi nearby, while Dhërmi combines traditional stone houses higher up the hillside with a livelier shoreline below. Gjipe Beach, reached by foot or boat, sits at the mouth of a dramatic canyon, and farther south, Ksamil’s pale sand and small offshore islands offer some of the country’s most photographed coastal views.
Historic towns and ancient ruins
Albania’s historic sites feel lived in rather than preserved behind glass. In Berat, rows of white Ottoman-era houses rise above the Osum River, earning it the nickname ‘the city of a thousand windows’, while Berat Castle still contains homes, churches, and cobbled lanes within its fortified walls. Gjirokastër has a darker, more dramatic character, with slate-roofed mansions, a steep old bazaar, and an imposing castle overlooking the Drino Valley. Farther south, the ruins of Butrint bring together a Greek theatre, Roman baths, Byzantine mosaics, and Venetian fortifications beside a peaceful lagoon.
Head north for Albania’s wilder side
The Albanian Alps swap the coast for sharp peaks, deep valleys, and villages connected by hiking paths. Theth is surrounded by some of the country’s most impressive scenery, with walks leading to Grunas Waterfall, the Blue Eye natural pool, and the stone Lock-in Tower at the heart of the village. More experienced walkers can tackle the route between Theth and Valbonë, crossing a high mountain pass with far-reaching views. Add flaky byrek, grilled seafood, stuffed aubergines, and generous local hospitality, and Albania quickly proves itself to be far more than an alternative summer destination.
To book your next holiday to Albania, speak to your Travel Counsellor today.
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